Neault acknowledged three Grossmont College retired faculty members who were conferred with Emeritus status, which is given to faculty members who are full professors, have served at least 20 years, and have provided distinguished service to their college. They are History Instructor Sue Gonda; Biology Professor Craig Milgrim; and Media Communications Instructor James Papageorge. Grossmont College Interim President Marsha Gable congratulated the three for their commitment to the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Chancellor Lynn Neault noted that the governor’s revised May state budget has good news for community colleges with a 4.05% cost of living adjustment and additional one-time funding. However, the additional continuous funding will not address the District’s structural budget issues over the next four years.

Neault also reported on the planning to return to work at the campuses. A phased return is underway and will continue through December for all employees to return to work at some level at the campuses, with a full return to pre-pandemic operations in January. . A survey of more than 6,600 Grossmont and Cuyamaca College students found that 44% want some combination of online and in-person classes, 33% want all online classes, and 23% want all classes to be held in person. A similar percentage of students are interested in online versus in-person student services.